Batting

How it Happened Rhode Island (6-19) managed to split a doubleheader at UMass Lowell (10-14) Wednesday. After dropping the first game 10-5, the Rams came back to take the second game, 6-5, in a five-inning contest shortened by darkness. Rhody has now won four of its last five contest.

Game 1 – UMass Lowell 10, Rhode Island 5
Rhode Island scored single runs in each of the first two innings to establish the early lead. In the top of the first, Caileigh Holland drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on an infield hit by Jenna Cubello. One out later, Kylie Shivery reached on an error that allowed Holland to score the first run of the game,

The Rams added a run in the second. With two outs, Bri Castro doubled down the right field line. Marylynn Muldowney followed with a double of her own to drive in Castro.

UMass Lowell got one run back when Courtney Cashman led off the home half of the third with a solo home run. The River Hawks took their first lead of the game in the fourth inning, rallying for four runs on four hits. Cashman had a two-run double and later scored on a wild pitch. Sydney Barker added an RBI single during the outburst.

Trailing 5-2, Rhode Island cut into the deficit with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Muldowney singled to start the inning, and Ali Summers followed with a double to put both runners in scoring position. Holland doubled to the gap in left center, driving in Muldowney and Summers to make the score 5-4. Holland moved to third on a wild pitch with one out, but she was thrown out at the plate when Shivery grounded the ball to first.

In the top of the sixth, the Rams tied the game when Summers delivered a two-out single to right field that scored Danielle Gariglio from second base. UMass Lowell took the lead right back in the bottom of the sixth when Casey Harding hit a solo home run to center. The River Hawks put the game away with four runs after two outs were recorded in the sixth. Barker hit a three-run triple and Madison Alcorn followed with an RBI single to ice the game.

Game 1 – Rhode Island 5, UMass Lowell 1 Rhode jumped out in front with four runs in the second and one more in the third to establish a 5-0 lead. Ali Summers had a three-run shot in the second inning, and Danielle Gariglio added a run-scoring single. An RBI single by Bri Castro drove in Erika Yeager in the top of the third.

UMass Lowell tied the game with a five-run rally in the bottom of the third. Four of the runs were scored after two outs, as an error extended the inning. Casey Harding led the inning off with a home run. With two outs two runners on, a fly ball was misplayed, allowing one run to come in and putting runners in scoring position. Madison Alcorn followed with a two-run double, and Alisha Welch added an RBI double of her own to tie the score.

A solo home run by Kylie Shivery in the top of the fifth put Rhode Island back in front, 6-5. From there, Alex Pleasic (2-0) took care of the rest, pitching 2.1 innings of hitless, scoreless relief for the Rams.
Inside the Box Scores

Senior Marylynn Muldowney continued to swing a hot bat, going 3-for-5 with a double, two singles, one walk two runs scored and one run batted in on the day. She has six hits and has scored five times over her last three games.

Senior Ali Summers had a team-high four hits, three of which went for extra bases. Summers hit a three-run home run, doubled twice, had four RBI and scored twice.

Junior Kylie Shivery hit her second home run in three games during the nightcap. She was 3-for-6 with the home run, one double and two runs scored.

Junior Bri Castro doubled, singled, scored one run and drove in one. Since being inserted into the starting lineup, Castro has hit safely in all five games, scored in four of the five and driven in five runs. She is batting .455 with three doubles over the span.

Freshman Caileigh Holland was 2-for-2 with two doubles, two runs batted in and one run scored.

Freshman pitcher Alex Pleasic picked up her second win in as many outings. She has pitched 5.1 scoreless innings with no hits allowed in her last two appearances.

Stat of the Day6.4 – Rhode Island has scored an average of 6.4 runs per game over the last five contests. The Rams averaged 2.6 runs over the first 20 games.

What's Next
Rhode Island travels to Saint Joseph's for a three-game series that starts with a doubleheader Saturday. First pitch is slated for noon.